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Last updated on March 28, 2022

Pennsylvania

Summary

Pennsylvania adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain a copy of their own original birth certificates. The state allows birthparents to request redaction of their names from a “summary” record provided to the adult adoptee.

Copy of form used to request information in Pennsylvania on a pre-adoption birth certificate


An amended law, effective November 3, 2017, now allows adoptees who are at least 18 years of age—and who must be high school graduates, possess a GED, or are withdrawn legally from school— to request a non-certified copy of their original birth records. Pennsylvania’s law, however, defines “non-certified copy of original birth record” as a “summary” of the original record and includes “only the names and ages of the birth parents, the date and county of the birth of the child and the name given to the child at birth.”

In addition, birth parents may redact identifying information on the “summary” record by filing a “name redaction request.” Redaction requests may be filed or withdrawn at any time and do not extend beyond a filing parent’s death. It is currently unknown how many redaction requests have been made under the 2017 law.

Forms and information related to the new law are available on the Pennsylvania Department of Health website.

Relevant Pennsylvania Law: Original Birth Record

23 § 2911. Definitions
“Noncertified copy of original birth record.” A summary of original birth record, similar in form to a certified copy of an original birth record and consisting of only the names and ages of the birth parents, the date and county of the birth of the child and the name given to the child at birth.

23 § 2937. Original birth record
(a) General rule.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an adoptee who is at least 18 years of age and who has graduated from high school, completed a General Educational Development program or has legally withdrawn from secondary schooling or, if the adoptee is deceased, the adoptee’s descendants, may apply to the Department of Health for the adoptee’s noncertified copy of original birth record. Subject to subsections (b) and (c), the Department of Health shall issue a noncertified copy of original birth record within 45 days of receipt of an application if the application complies with the requirements of subsection (d).

(b) Contact preference.—The Department of Health shall develop and, upon request, make available to each birth parent named on the original birth certificate a contact preference form on which the birth parent may state a preference regarding contact by an adoptee who is the birth child of the birth parent. Upon such request, the Department of Health shall also provide the birth parent with an updated medical history form, which shall be completed and returned, together with the completed contact preference form, by the birth parent to the Department of Health. The contact preference form shall provide the birth parent with options, in substantially the following form, from which the birth parent shall select one:

(1) I would like to be contacted. I have completed the contact preference form and an updated medical history form and am filing them with the Department of Health.

(2) I would prefer to be contacted only through an intermediary. I have completed the contact preference form and an updated medical history form and am filing them with the Department of Health.

(3) Do not contact me. I may change this preference by filling out another contact preference form. I have completed the contact preference form and an updated medical history form and am filing them with the Department of Health.

(c) Redaction request form.—A birth parent may request that the birth parent’s name be redacted from a noncertified copy of original birth record issued to an adoptee in accordance with the following:

(1) The Department of Health shall prescribe a birth parent’s name redaction request form. The form shall include all of the following:

(i) Information about the procedures and requirements for a birth parent to do either of the following:

(A) Have the form placed in the adoption file of the adoptee who is the birth child of the birth parent so that the birth parent’s name is redacted from the noncertified copy of original birth record issued to the adoptee.
(B) Have the form removed from the adoption file of the adoptee if the birth parent later decides to permit the birth parent’s name to be included on the noncertified copy of original birth record.

(ii) Provisions necessary for the Department of Health to be able to identify the adoption file of the adoptee to whom the form pertains.
(iii) A place for the birth parent to attest that the birth parent is the birth parent of the adoptee to whom the form pertains.

(2) The Department of Health shall make a birth parent’s name redaction request form available upon request following the effective date of this subsection. The Department of Health shall accept a name redaction request form if all of the following apply:

(i) The form has been notarized.
(ii) The birth parent provides two items of identification of the birth parent.
(iii) If a medical history for the birth parent was not previously prepared, or the medical history was prepared but needs to be updated, the birth parent does the following, as appropriate:

(A) Completes a medical history form.
(B) Updates the birth parent’s medical history information.

(iv) The Department of Health is satisfied that the form has been substantially completed.

(3) The Department of Health shall file an accepted name redaction request form in the adoption file of the adoptee to whom the form pertains.

(4) A birth parent may request at any time that the Department of Health remove the name redaction request form from the adoption file of the adoptee to whom the form pertains. The Department of Health shall remove the form if the birth parent provides the department all of the following:

(i) Two items of identification of the birth parent.
(ii) Information the Department of Health needs to be able to identify the adoption file of the adoptee to whom the form pertains.
(iii) A notarized attestation that the birth parent is the birth parent of the adoptee to whom the form pertains.

(5) A name redaction request form removed from an adoption file shall be destroyed.

(6) The Department of Health shall include on its Internet website information about birth parents’ name redaction request forms. All of the following information shall be provided:

(i) The purpose of the form.
(ii) The procedures to be followed and requirements to be met for the Department of Health to accept the form.
(iii) The date when birth parents may begin to file the form with the Department of Health.
(iv) The procedures to be followed and requirements to be met for having the form removed from an adoption file.
(v) Any other information the Department of Health considers necessary.

(7) If the birth parent dies after submitting a name redaction request form, a noncertified copy of original birth record may be provided to the adoptee without redaction of the deceased birth parent’s name.

(d) Application.—An application under subsection (a) shall be in a form acceptable to the Department of Health and shall include the following information:

(1) The adoptee’s current name and name assumed at the time of adoption.
(2) The adoptee’s address.
(3) The adoptee’s age and date of birth.
(4) The adoptee’s gender at birth.
(5) Proof of identification.
(6) The adoptee’s telephone number.
(7) Any other information required by the Department of Health, but only to the extent the information is necessary for the Department of Health to verify the identity of the applicant, locate the relevant records or provide the adoptee’s noncertified copy of original birth record to the adoptee.

(e) Application procedures.—The Department of Health shall develop policies and procedures necessary to comply with this section within 210 days of the effective date of this subsection.

(f) Fee.—The Department of Health may charge a fee for issuing a noncertified copy of original birth record as required by this section. The fee charged shall not exceed the fee for a certified copy of an original birth record provided in section 609-A of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929.

(g) Construction.—Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit disclosure of an adoptee’s birth record to the birth parents of an adoptee.

Relevant Pennsylvania Law: Court and Agency Records

23 § 2915. Court and agency records

(a)  General rule.—All court and agency records shall be maintained as a permanent record and withheld from inspection except as provided under this chapter.

(b)  Who may access court or agency records.—Only the following are authorized to access court or agency records for the purpose of releasing nonidentifying or identifying information under this chapter:

(1)  The court which finalized the adoption.
(2)  The agency that coordinated the adoption.
(3)  A successor agency authorized by the court which finalized the adoption.

(c)  Disposition of agency records upon closure.

(1)  As soon as practicable, but not less than 30 days prior to the date on which an agency ceases to operate as a legal entity in this Commonwealth, the agency shall, unless it has applied to operate as a new legal entity, notify the department of its intention to cease operating.

(2)  Within this time period, the agency shall submit a plan to the department relating to the closure and transfer of case records to another agency. The plan shall be subject to approval by the department.

(3)  In preparation for its closure and transfer of case records, the agency shall label its case records to identify the respective court that finalized an adoption or where a petition to terminate parental rights or to adopt has been filed.

(4)  The department shall notify each court so identified by the agency of the name, address and telephone number of the agency to which case records have been transferred.

Filed Under: Original Birth Certificates Tagged With: Compromised Rights, Pennsylvania, Redaction, State OBC Laws

Gregory D. Luce

I am a Minnesota lawyer, DC-born adoptee, and the founder of Adoptee Rights Law Center PLLC. I've been practicing law in Minnesota state and federal courts since 1993. I also have a sense of humor.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nicole Janzen says

    September 4, 2017 at 1:55 pm

    Hi there, I am helping a friend who’s Mom was born in Nova Scotia Canada. She was adopted to parents form Pennsylvania. We sent away to Nova Scotia for the records but were told that the adoption was finalized in Pennsylvania, so the records are held there. Can she access these records under this new law?
    Thank you very much
    Nicole Janzen

    Reply
    • Gregory D. Luce says

      November 3, 2017 at 6:32 am

      Hi, Nicole. I believe I answered this by email but if you have further questions please let me know.

      Reply
  2. John Pierre Campitelli says

    November 4, 2017 at 4:14 am

    Am I correct in assuming that I should receive my OBC even if I was born in Italy and adopted in Pennsylvania?

    Reply
  3. Rebecca Young says

    November 17, 2017 at 2:41 pm

    No; the law applies only to individuals born in Pennsylvania

    Reply
  4. Debi Perry says

    February 5, 2018 at 2:30 pm

    Hi, My sister and I were both born in Pennsylvania. She was adopted and I was not. I would love to be able to meet her and get to know her if she is amenable to that. Would I be able to apply for her birth certificate? On a side note, both of our parents have passed away.

    Thanks,
    Debi

    Reply
    • Gregory D. Luce says

      February 5, 2018 at 3:08 pm

      Thanks, Debi. I don’t know the ins and outs of birth siblings and availability to connect through some state process in Pennsylvania (there is a process in my own state of Minnesota). I do know that the new law in Pennsylvania does not provide birth sibling access to the summary birth information. It is only available to the adoptee if 18 years of age or, if the adoptee is deceased, to the adoptee’s descendants. I’ll ask some Pennsylvania advocates about any other suggestions and email you with whatever information I find.

      Reply
      • Debi Perry says

        February 5, 2018 at 7:29 pm

        Thank you very much for your response. I will keep searching for her.

        Kind Regards,
        Debi

        Reply
        • Gregory D. Luce says

          February 6, 2018 at 9:09 am

          No problem. It looks like Pennsylvania does have an adoption information registry, called PAIR, which could allow searching relatives and adoptees to connect. More information is available here, including the PAIR brochure. And, of course, there are always DNA testing companies and their registries, like AncestryDNA. Good luck!

          Reply
  5. Christiana Vail-Scandrol says

    May 22, 2018 at 11:24 am

    I was born in Wind Ridge, Greene County, Pa. in 1979. Supposedly a home birth then taken to a local hospital in Waynesburg Pa. before being adopted out to another Pa. couple from McClellandtown. I have no information whatsoever about birth parents or siblings and am naturally curious. I’ve been told records are sealed with little to no hope. I’ve been to the courthouse already. Any further suggestions?

    Reply
    • Gregory D. Luce says

      May 22, 2018 at 2:17 pm

      Christiana–

      Pennsylvania recently changed its law so that some adult adoptees can obtain information from their birth records, including names of birth parents if recorded. More information is available on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania website here. Make sure you look for the link for Information for Adopted Individuals, or scroll down that page to find it. Good luck!

      Reply
      • Gail Owenss says

        January 8, 2019 at 10:15 pm

        My son found me when the Pa records were opened. We have had a wonderful reunion and nothing could have turned out more beautiful. They sent him the non-certified birth certificate with my name on it and through that he was able to trace me. It was quite a journey for both of us, but it turned out so well.

        Reply
  6. Marianne Volpe says

    June 25, 2018 at 6:21 pm

    I have been looking for my birth parents for more than 20 years. I was born in Wilkes-Barre pa. in 1946. I you can help me please give me a call at (973) 483-1469.

    Reply
    • Gregory D. Luce says

      June 26, 2018 at 7:00 am

      Hi, Marianne. Please see comments below with links to more information and forms for Pennsylvania. Except for current clients, I’m unable to return phone calls due to the number of calls I get each day.

      Reply
  7. WALTER MORRIS says

    July 12, 2018 at 1:54 pm

    Thank you for this website. I’m an adoptee and I received my birth cert. with mother’s name on it. I found through research that she is deceased with no next of kin (living).

    This is rather disheartening, as I’ve discovered things that run counter to what my parents always told me about my birth mother–particularly her age. But other things don’t make sense, either.

    My parents are both deceased too. My sister (non-blood, adoptee too) doesn’t know much beyond what I remember my mother telling me, though she recently said some things that don’t square with my beliefs, either.

    Since Natural Mom is deceased, and no natural father appears to be in the picture (info not on birth certificate–doubt it was redacted as I always heard he wasn’t in picture), do I have a right to obtain the original adoption records?

    Reply
    • Marianne Volpe says

      September 6, 2018 at 6:07 pm

      I just got birth records from the state of Pennsylvania. The letter i got gave me one name of elizabeth Lease, when i received my birth records my mother was elizabeth george. Can anybody out there guide me as to witch way to go?

      Reply
    • Stacey Bee says

      April 8, 2019 at 6:00 pm

      Walter, do you know the name of the agency that handled your adoption or the county in which it was finalized?

      Reply
      • Walt says

        April 22, 2019 at 9:33 pm

        Lehigh County and I believe Catholic Charities.

        Reply
  8. Amanda Edwards says

    July 12, 2018 at 3:27 pm

    My husband’s father (now deceased) was born in and adopted in PA. Under the new law, my husband should be able to request his father’s original birth certificate summary, but we aren’t sure if we need to submit a death certificate for his father or if my husband can just submit a copy of his own drivers license or what. I can’t really find what documentation descendents of deceased adoptees need to submit. Can anyone offer some help?

    Reply
    • Gregory D. Luce says

      July 12, 2018 at 4:04 pm

      Your husband would use the Pennsylvania form for an adopted individual but check off that he is the lineal descendant of the adoptee. You need to include a copy of the adoptee’s death certificate as well as any ID requirement for your husband (copy of state-issued ID). Just to be safe I’d also enclose a photocopy of your husband’s birth certificate showing he is the adoptee’s son.

      Reply
  9. MrsH says

    September 4, 2018 at 3:49 pm

    Is there any way for an adoptee to obtain the original birth certificate if both birth parents are deceased? I already have a non-certified copy of the original birth record.

    Reply
    • Gregory D. Luce says

      September 5, 2018 at 7:01 am

      I don’t believe the current law to obtain a summary of your birth record in Pennsylvania would have any impact if both birth parents are deceased, unless somehow before they died they filed a form that would prohibit release of their information. Have you applied for the summary of your birth record in Pennsylvania? More information is available here. Hope this helps.

      Reply
  10. Marianne Volpe says

    September 6, 2018 at 6:08 pm

    I just got birth records from the state of Pennsylvania. The letter i got gave me one name of elizabeth Lease, when i received my birth records my mother was elizabeth george. Can anybody out there guide me as to witch way to go?

    Reply
    • Stephen says

      December 31, 2020 at 8:30 am

      Clearly one is her maiden name, and the other is a married name.

      Reply
  11. Lauren audrey Page says

    March 8, 2020 at 12:05 am

    Hi,
    I’m an adoptee looking for my half brother who was given up in either in 1966 or 1967.
    We share the same maternal side and I have medical for him.
    Is there a registry I can sign up for that hopefully will open a new door so we can met.
    Thank-You

    Reply
  12. Stephen says

    December 31, 2020 at 8:31 am

    Yes. PA has a registry that allows siblings to register.
    http://www.adoptpakids.org/Documents/PAIRBrochure.pdf

    Reply
  13. Tracey wells / suchma says

    April 17, 2021 at 2:31 pm

    Hi I was adopted and I was just looking for the adoption records like court records. I have found my biological parents ones living one’s deceased and the parents that adopt me are both deceased.
    I do have my birth certificate the parents that adopt me their names are on it and I’m probably gonna call to send for my original birth certificate.

    Reply
  14. Rico says

    April 20, 2021 at 7:17 am

    I was born July 26th 1981, at Sharon regional hospital a little after 5am, i have a older 1/2 brother, outta Mercer county. I just requested my obc.

    Reply
  15. Adelaide Steely says

    August 16, 2021 at 10:40 pm

    Have question if the people who apply for a job with the CIA as we were informed in Kerry Benninghoff’s hearing can now get a job with the summary type certificates. CIA requires Original Birth Certificate.
    We adoptees need to have the Vital Statistics Law of 1953 changed, it says our records are not public records for 105 years. My adoption by a rapist was done in Phila Court House not an adoption agency. It would seem that is a contradiction if I am included in that stupid law.
    A clean law without all the rights of Catholic Church and others continuing the idea that adoptees are shameful needs to be written for the people who are not “illegitimate”. Besides some folk are like me, born in wedlock and adopted by a step parent. I believe the constitution says that we are to be free of religious forced beliefs. Freedom from religious ideas imposed by others.

    Reply
  16. Kathleen Cochran says

    April 21, 2022 at 10:08 pm

    I was wondering if an adoptee can get their original birth certificate. My adopted parents are both gone and my biological mother is gone. My biological father would be around 95 or 96 if he is still alive. I was born in Pa. and I am now 72 yrs old and I would just like to know something about my father.

    Reply
    • Gregory D. Luce says

      April 22, 2022 at 7:00 am

      You can get birth information if born in Pennsylvania, though there are some restrictions that exist. More information and the form that you would use to apply are here.

      Reply

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Adoptee Rights Law Center

The Adoptee Rights Law Center PLLC is an adoptee-focused legal practice founded by Gregory Luce, a Minnesota lawyer and D.C.-born adoptee.

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Pennsylvania

Forms and other information about Pennsylvania's new law are available on the Pennsylvania Department of Health website here.

The OBC: Maps

US OBC Rights Placeholder
US OBC Rights
Alabama. Adult adoptees have the unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates, beginning at age 19. Read more.
Alaska. Adult adoptees have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their original birth certificates, beginning at age 18. Full Details
Arizona. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain a copy of their own original birth certificates. Arizona implemented a "donut hole" provision in a new law, effective January 1, 2022. It provides a right to some adoptees based on their dates of birth but denies the right to obtain the OBC to the vast majority of adoptees born in the state. Read more.
Arkansas. Beginning August 1, 2018, Arkansas law allows adult adoptees to request their adoption files. The request, however, is subject to a birthparent's ability to redact their names on the original birth certificates. This flow chart outlines how the law works. More information about the law and its requirements and discriminatory limitations is also here.
California. Adult adoptees do not have a right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates, except by court order. Adoptees must petition the court and show “good and compelling cause” in order to obtain any original birth record. Read more.
Colorado. Adult adoptees have a right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. An adopted person who is at least 18 years of age may apply for and receive a non-certified copy of their original birth certificate through the Colorado Department of Health and Environment. Read more.
Connecticut. Connecticut-born adult adopted people have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. The right also extends to the adult children and grandchildren of the adopted person. Read more.
Delaware. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. While adoptees 21 years of age or older may request their OBCs, birth parents may legally veto their release. Read more.
District of Columbia. Adult adoptees in the District of Columbia the do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their original birth certificates, except by court order. The D.C. superior court controls all aspects of releasing an OBC or any identifying information, whether from court records or from vital records. Read more.
Florida. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their original birth certificates. While adoptees may apply for the original birth record, it takes signed affidavits of consent from birthparents---or death certificates showing that birthparents are deceased---to compel release of the OBC. Otherwise, release is allowed only by court order. Full Details
Georgia. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their original birth certificates. A court order is required. Read more.
Hawaii. Hawaiian-born adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. Only people who are adopted in Hawaii can request and obtain their court adoption records, which may include an original birth certificate. The law does not apply to people born in Hawaii but adopted in a different state. Read more.
Idaho. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. An OBC is available only by court order or conditionally through a state-operated “voluntary adoption registry.” Disclosure of an original birth certificate through the registry is subject to consent of the parties and may require the consent of both birth parents. Read more.
Illinois. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. The state has a tiered date-based system and uses an adoption registry to facilitate release of OBCs. The date of birth of an adoptee determines who has unrestricted rights to an OBC or who may be subject to a birth parent’s request to redact identifying information on the OBC. Read more.
Indiana. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. A new law, effective July 1, 2018, expands the release of specifically defined "identifying information," but a birth parent may prohibit release of that information at any time. Read more.
Iowa. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Original birth records are subject to the right of birthparents to file redaction requests. Full Details
Kansas. While original birth certificates are sealed, adult adoptees in Kansas have always had an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Court records in adoption proceedings are also available to adoptees upon request. Read more.
Kentucky. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. A court order is required. Read more.
Louisiana. Adult adoptees do not have access to their own original birth certificates, except by court order. An adoptee must demonstrate “compelling reasons” for a court to order release of an original birth certificate. Read more.
Maine. Adult adoptees have the unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Adoptees must be 18 years of age before requesting their OBCs. Maine also allows a birth parent to file a genuine contact preference and medical history form, which is attached to the original birth certificate. Read more.
Maryland. For all practical purposes, Maryland should be defined as a "restricted" state because there are so few current adult adoptees who may qualify under its compromised law, which applies only to adoptions finalized on or after January 1, 2000. Because adoptees must also be at least 21 years of age to request the OBC, the law effectively applies only to those adoptees who were older at the time and adopted on or after January 1, 2000. In addition, birthparents under the compromised law may at any time veto disclosure of birth records or identifying information. Adoptees whose adoptions were finalized before January 1, 2000, do not have a right to obtain their OBCs. It remains available only by court order. Read more.
Massachusetts. Not all adult adoptees have the unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Rather, adoptees born between July 17, 1974, and January 1, 2008, are denied access to their own OBCs, except by court order. Adoptees born on or before July 17, 1974, have unrestricted access to their own original birth certificates, as do those born after January 1, 2008 (upon reaching the age of 18). Read more.
Michigan. Michigan requires the use of a “Central Adoption Registry” to process information and to determine whether an adoptee should or should not get “identifying information,” which does not initially include an original birth certificate. Depending on an adoptee’s date of birth, a parent may deny access to identifying information or withhold access by saying nothing. In either case, no identifying information may be released to the adoptee, except by court order. Read more.
Minnesota. The right of adult adopted people to obtain their own original birth certificate is complex and based primarily on the date of adoption. Generally, it requires the affirmative written consent of any birthparents and the state uses a complex, confidential, and often expensive intermediary system involving the department of health, the department of human services, and individual adoption agencies. Read more.
Mississippi. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. It takes a court order. Read more.
Missouri. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. The state has a complex framework that makes the original birth certificate subject to birth parent disclosure vetoes that may extend beyond the death of the parent. Read more.
Montana. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. The state has a somewhat complex tiered system that depends upon an adoptee’s date of adoption. While an original birth certificate may be available more easily to adoptees who are 30 years of age or older, court orders may be required for younger adoptees and in all cases where a birth parent requests that a court order be required. Read more.
Nebraska. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain the original birth certificate. Nebraska law is remarkably complex and confusing. Generally, any right to obtain the OBC depends on the date of an adoptee’s relinquishment and also whether a birth parent—and sometimes an adoptive parent—has affirmatively consented to disclosure or has filed a “nonconsent” form objecting to the OBC’s release. Read more.
Nevada. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. It requires a court order. Read more.
New Hampshire. Adoptees who are at least 18 years of age have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. The state also allows birth parents to file a contact preference form and/or health history questionnaire, neither of which will restrict the right of adult adoptees to obtain their OBCs. Read more.
New Jersey is best described as a "limited time redaction" state, as its current law, effective on January 1, 2017, provided birthparents a limited amount of time to request redaction of their information from the adoptee's original birth certificate. Thus, while most adult adoptees now have a right to obtain their own original birth certificates, approximately 550 birthparents filed redaction requests, leading to redaction of the parents’ identifying information on the OBC. Those 550 adult adoptees have no do not have the right to an unredacted original birth certificate except through securing a court order. Read more.
New Mexico. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Good cause is required through a court order. Read more.
New York. Adult adopted persons and their descendants have an unrestricted right to request and obtain the adoptee's original birth certificate, without discriminatory restrictions. The law, which overturned 83 years of iron-clad secrecy, became effective January 15, 2020. Read more.
North Carolina. Adult adoptees do not have unrestricted access to their own original birth certificates. A court order is required for the release of any identifying information, including an OBC. An OBC must be specifically requested in any court action that seeks the release of identifying information. Read more.
North Dakota. Adult adoptees do not have access to their own original birth certificates, except by court order. Read more.
Ohio. Not all adoptees in Ohio have unrestricted access to their own original birth certificates. While legislative reforms removed some restrictions in 2013, significant legal restrictions remain, including birth parent redaction and disclosure vetoes. Read more.
Oklahoma. Adult adoptees do not have unrestricted access to their original birth certificates. Currently, nearly all adult adoptees must obtain a court order and show good cause for release. While adoptees whose adoptions were finalized after November 1, 1997, do not require a court order, requests for such OBCs are subject to birth parent disclosure vetoes and redaction. Read more.
Oregon. Adoptees who are at least 21 years of age have an unrestricted right to access their original birth certificates. A birth parent may file a contact preference form but it has no effect or restriction on the right of adult adoptees to receive their OBCs. Oregon law also allows adoptees access to specific records in the court adoption proceedings. Read more.
Pennsylvania. A new law, now effective, allows adoptees who are at least 18 years of age—and who must be high school graduates, possess a GED, or are withdrawn legally from school— to request their original birth record. Birthparents, however may redact identifying information on the OBC by filing a “name redaction request.” Redaction requests may be filed or withdrawn at any time and do not extend beyond a filing parent’s death. Read more.
Rhode Island. Adult adoptees have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates at age 18. Birth parents may file a contact preference form, which has no effect on the release of an OBC. Read more.
South Carolina. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. A court order is required. Read more.
South Dakota. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their original birth certificates except by court order. Nevertheless, upon "maturity" an adoptee may petition the court for release of the adoptee's court adoption records, which will typically lead to or include release of the OBC. Read more.
Tennessee. Nearly all adoptees who are 21 years of age have a right to request and obtain their their “adoption records,” which should include original birth certificates. The only exception to this right is for an adult adoptee whose birth parent was a victim of rape or incest—in such cases the written consent of the birth parent is required for release of records. Tennessee also criminalizes contact with birth parents who have registered with a contact veto registry. Read more.
Texas. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. With one exception, release of the OBC requires a court order. Adoptees 18 years of age or older who also know the identities of their birth parents, however, may obtain a non-certified copy of their OBC without the need for a court order. Read more.
Utah. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. While adoptees 18 years of age or older may request their OBCs, release depends on participating in a voluntary registry as well as obtaining the consent of birthparents, unless a birthparent is dead. Read more.
Vermont. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. An OBC may be obtained through a probate court order or by adoptees who are at least 18 years of age and who have already obtained identifying information through Vermont’s Adoption Registry. Read more.
Virginia. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. Release of an OBC requires either a) a state agency’s decision, upon good cause shown, to release identifying information from the adoption records; or b) a court order upon good cause shown. Read more.
Washington. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. An OBC is available through the Department of Health but release is subject to birth parent disclosure vetoes as well as to corrupt contact preference forms that allow birthparents to deny release of the OBC. Disclosure vetoes and contact preference forms expire on the death of the birth parent. Read more.
West Virginia. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. A court order, requiring good cause, is required before the release of an OBC. Read more.
Wisconsin. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. Wisconsin requires either court order or participation in a consent-based "Adoption Records Search Program." Read more.
Wyoming. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their original birth certificates. It takes a court order for release of an OBC, with no specific standards or procedures outlined in seeking such an order. Read more.
Alabama. Adult adoptees have the unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates, beginning at age 19. Read more.
Alaska. Adult adoptees have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their original birth certificates, beginning at age 18. Full Details
Arizona. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain a copy of their own original birth certificates. Arizona implemented a "donut hole" provision in a new law, effective January 1, 2022. It provides a right to some adoptees based on their dates of birth but denies the right to obtain the OBC to the vast majority of adoptees born in the state. Read more.
Arkansas. Beginning August 1, 2018, Arkansas law allows adult adoptees to request their adoption files. The request, however, is subject to a birthparent's ability to redact their names on the original birth certificates. This flow chart outlines how the law works. More information about the law and its requirements and discriminatory limitations is also here.
California. Adult adoptees do not have a right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates, except by court order. Adoptees must petition the court and show “good and compelling cause” in order to obtain any original birth record. Read more.
Colorado. Adult adoptees have a right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. An adopted person who is at least 18 years of age may apply for and receive a non-certified copy of their original birth certificate through the Colorado Department of Health and Environment. Read more.
Connecticut. Connecticut-born adult adopted people have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. The right also extends to the adult children and grandchildren of the adopted person. Read more.
Delaware. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. While adoptees 21 years of age or older may request their OBCs, birth parents may legally veto their release. Read more.
District of Columbia. Adult adoptees in the District of Columbia the do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their original birth certificates, except by court order. The D.C. superior court controls all aspects of releasing an OBC or any identifying information, whether from court records or from vital records. Read more.
Florida. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their original birth certificates. While adoptees may apply for the original birth record, it takes signed affidavits of consent from birthparents---or death certificates showing that birthparents are deceased---to compel release of the OBC. Otherwise, release is allowed only by court order. Full Details
Georgia. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their original birth certificates. A court order is required. Read more.
Hawaii. Hawaiian-born adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. Only people who are adopted in Hawaii can request and obtain their court adoption records, which may include an original birth certificate. The law does not apply to people born in Hawaii but adopted in a different state. Read more.
Idaho. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. An OBC is available only by court order or conditionally through a state-operated “voluntary adoption registry.” Disclosure of an original birth certificate through the registry is subject to consent of the parties and may require the consent of both birth parents. Read more.
Illinois. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. The state has a tiered date-based system and uses an adoption registry to facilitate release of OBCs. The date of birth of an adoptee determines who has unrestricted rights to an OBC or who may be subject to a birth parent’s request to redact identifying information on the OBC. Read more.
Indiana. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. A new law, effective July 1, 2018, expands the release of specifically defined "identifying information," but a birth parent may prohibit release of that information at any time. Read more.
Iowa. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Original birth records are subject to the right of birthparents to file redaction requests. Full Details
Kansas. While original birth certificates are sealed, adult adoptees in Kansas have always had an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Court records in adoption proceedings are also available to adoptees upon request. Read more.
Kentucky. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. A court order is required. Read more.
Louisiana. Adult adoptees do not have access to their own original birth certificates, except by court order. An adoptee must demonstrate “compelling reasons” for a court to order release of an original birth certificate. Read more.
Maine. Adult adoptees have the unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Adoptees must be 18 years of age before requesting their OBCs. Maine also allows a birth parent to file a genuine contact preference and medical history form, which is attached to the original birth certificate. Read more.
Maryland. For all practical purposes, Maryland should be defined as a "restricted" state because there are so few current adult adoptees who may qualify under its compromised law, which applies only to adoptions finalized on or after January 1, 2000. Because adoptees must also be at least 21 years of age to request the OBC, the law effectively applies only to those adoptees who were older at the time and adopted on or after January 1, 2000. In addition, birthparents under the compromised law may at any time veto disclosure of birth records or identifying information. Adoptees whose adoptions were finalized before January 1, 2000, do not have a right to obtain their OBCs. It remains available only by court order. Read more.
Massachusetts. Not all adult adoptees have the unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Rather, adoptees born between July 17, 1974, and January 1, 2008, are denied access to their own OBCs, except by court order. Adoptees born on or before July 17, 1974, have unrestricted access to their own original birth certificates, as do those born after January 1, 2008 (upon reaching the age of 18). Read more.
Michigan. Michigan requires the use of a “Central Adoption Registry” to process information and to determine whether an adoptee should or should not get “identifying information,” which does not initially include an original birth certificate. Depending on an adoptee’s date of birth, a parent may deny access to identifying information or withhold access by saying nothing. In either case, no identifying information may be released to the adoptee, except by court order. Read more.
Minnesota. The right of adult adopted people to obtain their own original birth certificate is complex and based primarily on the date of adoption. Generally, it requires the affirmative written consent of any birthparents and the state uses a complex, confidential, and often expensive intermediary system involving the department of health, the department of human services, and individual adoption agencies. Read more.
Mississippi. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. It takes a court order. Read more.
Missouri. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. The state has a complex framework that makes the original birth certificate subject to birth parent disclosure vetoes that may extend beyond the death of the parent. Read more.
Montana. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. The state has a somewhat complex tiered system that depends upon an adoptee’s date of adoption. While an original birth certificate may be available more easily to adoptees who are 30 years of age or older, court orders may be required for younger adoptees and in all cases where a birth parent requests that a court order be required. Read more.
Nebraska. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain the original birth certificate. Nebraska law is remarkably complex and confusing. Generally, any right to obtain the OBC depends on the date of an adoptee’s relinquishment and also whether a birth parent—and sometimes an adoptive parent—has affirmatively consented to disclosure or has filed a “nonconsent” form objecting to the OBC’s release. Read more.
Nevada. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. It requires a court order. Read more.
New Hampshire. Adoptees who are at least 18 years of age have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. The state also allows birth parents to file a contact preference form and/or health history questionnaire, neither of which will restrict the right of adult adoptees to obtain their OBCs. Read more.
New Jersey is best described as a "limited time redaction" state, as its current law, effective on January 1, 2017, provided birthparents a limited amount of time to request redaction of their information from the adoptee's original birth certificate. Thus, while most adult adoptees now have a right to obtain their own original birth certificates, approximately 550 birthparents filed redaction requests, leading to redaction of the parents’ identifying information on the OBC. Those 550 adult adoptees have no do not have the right to an unredacted original birth certificate except through securing a court order. Read more.
New Mexico. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. Good cause is required through a court order. Read more.
New York. Adult adopted persons and their descendants have an unrestricted right to request and obtain the adoptee's original birth certificate, without discriminatory restrictions. The law, which overturned 83 years of iron-clad secrecy, became effective January 15, 2020. Read more.
North Carolina. Adult adoptees do not have unrestricted access to their own original birth certificates. A court order is required for the release of any identifying information, including an OBC. An OBC must be specifically requested in any court action that seeks the release of identifying information. Read more.
North Dakota. Adult adoptees do not have access to their own original birth certificates, except by court order. Read more.
Ohio. Not all adoptees in Ohio have unrestricted access to their own original birth certificates. While legislative reforms removed some restrictions in 2013, significant legal restrictions remain, including birth parent redaction and disclosure vetoes. Read more.
Oklahoma. Adult adoptees do not have unrestricted access to their original birth certificates. Currently, nearly all adult adoptees must obtain a court order and show good cause for release. While adoptees whose adoptions were finalized after November 1, 1997, do not require a court order, requests for such OBCs are subject to birth parent disclosure vetoes and redaction. Read more.
Oregon. Adoptees who are at least 21 years of age have an unrestricted right to access their original birth certificates. A birth parent may file a contact preference form but it has no effect or restriction on the right of adult adoptees to receive their OBCs. Oregon law also allows adoptees access to specific records in the court adoption proceedings. Read more.
Pennsylvania. A new law, now effective, allows adoptees who are at least 18 years of age—and who must be high school graduates, possess a GED, or are withdrawn legally from school— to request their original birth record. Birthparents, however may redact identifying information on the OBC by filing a “name redaction request.” Redaction requests may be filed or withdrawn at any time and do not extend beyond a filing parent’s death. Read more.
Rhode Island. Adult adoptees have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates at age 18. Birth parents may file a contact preference form, which has no effect on the release of an OBC. Read more.
South Carolina. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. A court order is required. Read more.
South Dakota. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their original birth certificates except by court order. Nevertheless, upon "maturity" an adoptee may petition the court for release of the adoptee's court adoption records, which will typically lead to or include release of the OBC. Read more.
Tennessee. Nearly all adoptees who are 21 years of age have a right to request and obtain their their “adoption records,” which should include original birth certificates. The only exception to this right is for an adult adoptee whose birth parent was a victim of rape or incest—in such cases the written consent of the birth parent is required for release of records. Tennessee also criminalizes contact with birth parents who have registered with a contact veto registry. Read more.
Texas. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. With one exception, release of the OBC requires a court order. Adoptees 18 years of age or older who also know the identities of their birth parents, however, may obtain a non-certified copy of their OBC without the need for a court order. Read more.
Utah. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to request and obtain their own original birth certificates. While adoptees 18 years of age or older may request their OBCs, release depends on participating in a voluntary registry as well as obtaining the consent of birthparents, unless a birthparent is dead. Read more.
Vermont. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. An OBC may be obtained through a probate court order or by adoptees who are at least 18 years of age and who have already obtained identifying information through Vermont’s Adoption Registry. Read more.
Virginia. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. Release of an OBC requires either a) a state agency’s decision, upon good cause shown, to release identifying information from the adoption records; or b) a court order upon good cause shown. Read more.
Washington. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. An OBC is available through the Department of Health but release is subject to birth parent disclosure vetoes as well as to corrupt contact preference forms that allow birthparents to deny release of the OBC. Disclosure vetoes and contact preference forms expire on the death of the birth parent. Read more.
West Virginia. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. A court order, requiring good cause, is required before the release of an OBC. Read more.
Wisconsin. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates. Wisconsin requires either court order or participation in a consent-based "Adoption Records Search Program." Read more.
Wyoming. Adult adoptees do not have an unrestricted right to obtain their original birth certificates. It takes a court order for release of an OBC, with no specific standards or procedures outlined in seeking such an order. Read more.

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The OBC: Numbers

10unrestricted
24compromised
17restricted
51View All

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